Page 27 of Strays
She might be pissed, but I’m grateful to her. If it weren’t for her shouting at the MAB officers guarding the gate, we wouldn’t even be here. Still, I’m not sure what to do. I’ve never been in a relationship, never had to deal with a mate’s friend before.
To be honest, none of us has much experience with friendships at all. We’ve always kept to ourselves.
A cold sensation creeps into my chest. I’m starting to realize just how little I know about having a mate. How the hell am I supposed to be a good partner to Johane when I don’t even know what that looks like? What’s going to stop us from fucking this up just out of sheer ignorance?
Thankfully, Jay breaks my train of thought. “Good to see you again, Alice,” he says gently.
She doesn’t respond.
Johane snorts. “Al’s cranky because I called her at six in the morning, freaking out because I was going to miss my match meeting. Crossing five states before lunch isn’t her idea of fun. But she’s usually sweet, I swear.”
“You know I didn’t mind coming, Jo,” Alice snaps. “I just don’t think it’s smart to be alone with three men you barely know, especially when you’re injured.”
So that’s the issue. I get it. Even human women don’t usually stay alone with men they’ve just met, especially not when they’re vulnerable. For a nyra, it’s even stranger. We’re not supposed to do this. Not without her fathers.
Johane’s voice stays calm. “I’ve already explained. They’re my mates, Al. Theycan’t hurt me; I can feel it. It’s a nyra thing.”
Alice narrows her eyes. "You’re seriously going to play the species card right now?"
“Yes,” Jo replies. “Yes, I am.”
She exhales and runs a hand through her ponytail, her gaze flicking briefly toward us before locking back on her friend again. “Do you have any idea how long I agonized over this? How much I questioned whether I should even go through with the meeting? I almost didn’t. I almost stayed home.”
Panic pierces through me like a needle. I’m so grateful she came.
She pauses, and there’s something raw in her tone now. “I made the decision and I’m not backing out halfway. What would be the point of putting myself through all that, coming here, facing this, if I was just going to doubt everything the moment it got real? I don’t want to live in a state of constant second-guessing anymore. I can’t.”
Alice’s expression hardens. Her mouth flattens, but she stays quiet.
Johane softens slightly. “I’m grateful you came, Al, truly. But I’m okay now. You can go back to Kate and Jayme.”
Alice doesn’t move. When she speaks, her voice is quieter but sharper. “You know I respect your choice, Jo. But I just don’t understand why it has to happen so fast. Why jump into this bond thing? Can’t you take a breath? Get to know them first? Date, like a normal person?”
Jo’s reply is almost a whisper. “I’m not a normal person, Alice. I’m a nyra. And I know it sounds crazy to you. I get that. But the moment I caught their scent, something changed. I don’t think I can be apart from them now. And I don’t think they can be apart from me. It’s not about rushing; it’s about recognizing what’s already here.”
She draws a breath. “No amount of time is going to make this clearer. No slow dating, no waiting period will make the pull go away. If anything, pretending we could resist it would only make it harder. For all of us.”
Alice studies her, glancing at each of us in turn. The silence stretches, tense and reluctant. Then she sighs. “Call me when you’re back at your hotel, okay?” she mutters.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jo says, giving her a sad smile.
Alice leans in, kisses her cheek, and walks out without even glancing at us.
Jo watches the door for a moment before turning to us. “Sorry about that,” she says. “She’s having a hard time with the whole scent-mates thing.”
“That’s fine,” Jay says as we step closer to her bed. “She’s just looking out for you. We can’t fault her for that.” He glances around the room, then adds, “Do you live far? We… we can wait to move forward with the bond until your fathers get here.”
As much as the urge to sink my teeth into her is almost unbearable, I agree with Jay. We could work with the MAB to delay things. It would be the rightthing to do.
Jo’s expression shifts. The smile vanishes, and her face tightens. “No,” she says. “We don’t have to wait.”
The three of us glance at each other, confused. The hum rising from our chests deepens, and she seems to relax a little in response.
The whole thing feels off. I’ve never heard of a nyra’s family being this detached. Maybe her fathers are dead? I want to ask, but I don’t know how. Jay and Shane stay quiet too.
Just as I find the nerve to speak, a nurse walks in carrying Johane’s dinner tray, and we all step back to give her space.
Johane’s expression shifts again, and in a second she looks composed. “Hey, Kelly!” she beams. “Can I ask a favor? Think you could find three chairs for these pretty boys? They’re staying with me until I’m discharged.”
